Girl Turns Four

 Kiriana Heimataura Kauvai Foster: You are named to remember your elders who came before you. Kiriana as in Karen, your maternal great Aunt. Heimataura was your great great great great grandmother and she was a queen in Tahiti. Kauvai is your paternal grandmother's last name..we gave you that name so your people would know who you are when you return to Rarotonga one day.

But your face tells another story. The night you were born, you came sudden and early, true to Foster form. It was late, around 11:30pm and you were born via C-section. When you came to my arms, I fell in love helplessly and hopelessly in an instant. Lelo was there and the first thing she said about you, "She's really beautiful" Your features were a perfect mix of Latin and Polynesian. You did not cry except one single yelp when the doctor took you out. You did not cry for another 3 weeks after that.

Today you are four. You are beautiful, tall, lean, exotic, studious, creative, astute and sweet. Your sweet side is balanced with your fire and determination. You are the center of your father's heart.

Last night you told me you never want to move out, never want to get married, never want to have kids and never want to leave mom and dad. You told me you want to live here forever and take care of us. Okay, fine by us. the laundry and dishes are waiting.

The world holds possibilities for you that have yet to be seen. Our creator has laid out a life for you that has not forgot any detail or thought. You were born into a family that loves, therefore you will love and be loved. We knew you were coming. Papa had a dream about you before he knew about you. God has purpose for you, Kiriana. Take heed and wait upon Him and see what an amazing life unfolds.

Te Quiero mi amor, mi muneca, mi mundo....

Stand.

This morning at church a mom and her physically disabled teenage son sat in front of us. Her son was mentally "there" but his body was served by a wheel chair. The implications of having such a child are beyond my imagination.

During one of the worship songs "I Am Set Free" most people stayed sitting. The boy, physically disabled, struggled with the help of his mom to stand on his feet and raise his hands to God. His mom braced him to stand as he stood and sang out "I am free" to God with his hands in the air. I was so moved by this moment. What we take for granted, being able to stand, is what takes one person all he has and the help of another. And then again, one day this boy will be set free from a body that hasn't served him well. 

Questions from a four-year old mind.

"Mom, this year for my birthday I want a unicorn Pinata and a flute" says the girl with curly hair.

"Mom, are dolphins nice to people? Are they friends with turtles?" says the boy with the big brown eyes.

"Mom, does the wind help or hurt fire? What about your mouth-wind (breath)?" says boy.

"Mom, do dinosaurs have big bones?" says boy.

"Mom, I never want to get married because I don't want to leave you" says little girl.

"Mom, why do sharks eat people?"-boy

"Mom, what do turtles eat" -boy

And many, many more....

The last days of "Four"

These are the last days of being four. We started this journey when he came home at four pounds. Now he is four years and in a few days, five.  He finished preschool, he finished Kindergarten Camp, he rides bikes around the neighborhood and tonight he is having his first sleep-over at Moses Brown's house. Even though Moses is 1.5 years older and bigger, they seemed to have carved out a nice friendship given Lyon's headstrong personality and "directing" personality. Speaking of that personality, Lyon's personality is emerging as a leader. He always wants to be first, to be in front, to be the speaker, to tell everyone what to do. The other night he told me he wanted to be the boss of the neighbors. I said no, they have parents. He said he wants to be the boss of the parents too. I said not possible.

The first day of Kindergarten camp went well. There were no tears. Only questions: "what are we doing here" -going to camp. "Who is that lady" -your teacher. "well whats for lunch and what time are you picking me up?" Once he had all the facts he went with it and had a good time. His teacher is Ms. Dizon. You wouldn't know it by her name, but she is a beautiful, skinny tall blonde. Lyon referred to her as the tall, bony lady when he couldn't remember her name.

Katelyn.

Lyon's first crush is a Filipino girl named Katelyn. Katelyn is the alpha-female, boss-chick at the preschool. She has an older sister so she's waaaay mature. Lyon told me that he went up to her and whispered in her ear "Your my girlfriend" and so now she is. Kiri told her neighbor friend "Brianne, my brother is getting married soon. Her name is Katelyn" all so matter-of-factly. Sometimes I wonder if we have only been raising kids for four years, only?

Blockers

poor Lyon had a stuffy nose last night and was getting really frustrated to the point of tears at not being able to breath. At one point he pointed all the blame on Kiri with "SEE KIRI!! you put your butt in my face and now I have the blockers in my nose!!" huh?!

Dentist Time

Here she is at the Dentist. She did super!

Not Well

Lyon: "Mom, I don't feel well"
Kiri: "Well maybe he has a beaver"

Beaver, fever...same thing.